Most of us are used to thinking of the annual eye exam as something we have to pay for ourselves, just like most routine health checkups that we do to prevent health problems rather than cure them. Not necessarily so.

There are some things Medicare pays for that don't get done nearly often enough because seniors don't want to or can't afford to spend the money for routine care they must pay for themselves, and they don't know that they would be covered under Medicare.

One of those is routine glaucoma screening. Glaucoma is an eye disease caused by high pressure in the eye. It can cause you to gradually lose sight without warning and often without symptoms. The best way for people at high risk for glaucoma to protect themselves is to have regular eye exams.

Extremely poor vision, or blindness, can cause a host of other medical problems such as fractures from falls, other injuries, or serious depression. These are very expensive to treat once they've happened. The reduction in quality of life for those who have lost vision is beyond measuring.

Recent research revealed that less than 45 percent of Medicare diabetics have had an eye exam. Yet Medicare coverage of eye exams for diabetics has been offered since 1998. In 2001 glaucoma screening for patients at risk was included in Medicare coverage. The number of people taking advantage of covered glaucoma screening seems to be just as low.

If your elder is at risk for glaucoma and is resisting having that annual exam because of cost, here's your answer. Get them in for a test. Glaucoma doesn't give any warning, so just because your elder says there are no symptoms doesn't mean there's nothing going on.

How often is glaucoma screening covered?
Once every 12 months

Who is eligible for glaucoma screening?
People with Medicare at high risk for glaucoma

What does glaucoma screening cost?
If you have original Medicare you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. If you have a Medicare Advantage (HMO) plan check with your plan.

Are you at high risk for glaucoma?
Your risk for glaucoma increases if you…
...have diabetes
...have a family history of glaucoma
...are African American and age 50 or older